Everglades National Park

Flamingo campground There's no place like home and this national park is it for the next few weeks. We received a warm welcome from the local mosquitos, not as large as the ones back home but they are out all day long, even in the wind! Well good news is we know how to deal with these little pests. The less experienced run around with jackets, long pants, gloves and mosquito netting covering the rest of their exposed flesh. What makes me happy is the 50 amp service given the temps in the mid 80's. Air conditioning is a must when leaving the door and windows shut. From there it's all good. Part Caribbean and part North America the landscape is unlike any other in the world. Water is the lifeblood of the Everglades. Draining from north of lake Okeechobee via the Kissimee River over a mosaic of marshes, sawgrass prairies, big Cypress swamps and into the Everglades where it empties into the marine estuaries of Florida bay. The Everglades are a fresh water slow moving river of grass that empty into the coastal mangroves where it intermingles with the salt water of the gulf. This barrier stabilizes coastal land while sustaining nurseries for marine life and providing nesting habitat for wading birds. Mangrove forests are the first line of defense against storm winds and surges. 50 miles from no where it pays to think twice before you leave civilization because the resources here are not much. Their are restrooms with showers, a dump station, a small store with junk food and beer, a nice marina and not much more. While checking out the rest rooms for the first time we noticed a posting letting campers know that they need to boil all water before drinking it. We always bring our own thank you!